BILL NUMBER: SCR 28	CHAPTERED  05/18/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   34
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   MAY 18, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 13, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   APRIL 29, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Burton

                        MARCH 18, 1999

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28--Relative to 9-1-1 for Kids
Week.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 28, Burton.  9-1-1 for Kids Week.
   This measure would designate the week of May 16 through May 22,
1999, as "9-1-1 for Kids Week" in the State of California.




   WHEREAS, Every year, hundreds of thousands of calls are received
at 9-1-1 emergency system centers across the state; and
   WHEREAS, Over 20 percent of all calls made to those 9-1-1
emergency system centers are "abandoned" calls, where the caller
either hangs up or does not speak, all of which must be traced by
emergency system center personnel at enormous public cost; and
   WHEREAS, In Houston, Texas, public safety officials found that 50
percent of the 160,000 9-1-1 calls that were dispatched in 1994 were
deemed not to be emergencies and, at a median cost of $350 for each
basic emergency medical services response, the City of Houston alone
could save $12 million per year by eliminating these nonemergency
9-1-1 calls; and
   WHEREAS, Many 9-1-1 callers are young and curious or thrill
seekers who do not understand that their misuse and abuse of the
system wastes public resources and diverts emergency personnel and
equipment from others who desperately need help; and
   WHEREAS, In 1991 the San Jose Police Department, the California
Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, the State of
California 9-1-1 Program office, corporations, and individuals began
a collaborative effort to develop 9-1-1 educational materials
targeting children, ages 4 to 7 years; and
   WHEREAS, In the summer of 1994, work began on a "9-1-1 for Kids"
curriculum and set of educational materials that would deliver easy
to remember messages about the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency
system, hold children's interest, have universal appeal to all
children, have guaranteed wide application, and have a long
shelf-life; and
   WHEREAS, Emmy and Peabody Award winning Tony Urbano Productions
joined the project team and created the 9-1-1 for Kids mascot, "Red
E. Fox," that has captivated children and adults alike and helped
deliver critical 9-1-1 information in a fun and memorable manner; and

   WHEREAS, The nonprofit organization "9-1-1 for Kids" was formed in
1995 to distribute training program materials to public safety
agencies, schools, and community-based organizations throughout the
state; this tax-exempt organization is located at 355 Redondo Avenue,
Long Beach, California 90814; and
   WHEREAS, To date, the 9-1-1 for Kids educational program has been
taught to over one million children, ages 4 to 7 years, through the
tireless, dedicated efforts of teachers, police officers,
firefighters, and community volunteers; and
   WHEREAS, 9-1-1 for Kids hopes to provide materials to teach
another 500,000 children during 1999; and
   WHEREAS, Children who complete the 9-1-1 for Kids classroom
educational program will learn what an emergency is for purposes of
using the 9-1-1 emergency system, how to place a 9-1-1 emergency
call, and what to say to a 9-1-1 dispatcher in case of a police,
fire, or medical emergency; armed with this basic 9-1-1 information,
children who complete the 9-1-1 for Kids training program will be
able to call for help when they need it for themselves or for others,
save lives and property, and avoid costly abuses of the 9-1-1
emergency system; and
   WHEREAS, The State 9-1-1 Program, in the Telecommunications
Division of the State Department of General Services, has recognized
the 9-1-1 for Kids educational program as one of the most effective
9-1-1 emergency system classroom programs available; and
   WHEREAS, National Football League star, Tim Brown, the captain of
the Oakland Raiders and the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner, serves as the
national spokesperson for 9-1-1 for Kids; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the week
of May 16, 1999, to May 22, 1999, inclusive, as "9-1-1 for Kids Week"
in the State of California, in recognition of the valuable work of
the 9-1-1 for Kids program; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
